Coupled Turbulent Flow Chromatography: LC–MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Grapes, Baby Food and Wheat Flour Matrices

Abstract

This paper describes an on-line sample preparation method for the simultaneous determination of 48 pesticides in grapes, baby food and wheat flour matrices. Target pesticides were selected to represent a wide variety of chemical structures and three typical matrices were selected. Turbulent flow chromatography was applied for on-line sample cleanup directly coupled to LC–MS/MS. The aim of the method was to reduce total analysis time, eliminate manual laboratory work, provide clean extracts and achieve reproducible results. Single laboratory method validation was conducted establishing limits of detection between 0.8 and 6.0 ng g−1 for baby food, and 0.8–10.3 ng g−1 for other matrices. Within-day precision values varied between 4 and 18 %, while between-day precisions were in the range 5–22 %. Method recovery ranged from 67 to 124 %, and method accuracy was demonstrated by analysis of external quality control samples. The method was also tested on 24 different survey samples from both bio and organic origin. The method was shown to be convenient, fast and fit for purpose in meeting regulatory requirements for pesticide residue monitoring.